The Volkswagen I.D. Buzz Electric Microbus Concept arrives at the Detroit Motor Show as a 21st century electric microbus promising the future of Volkswagen’s cars.

At the 2016 CES show we had an electric camper van/microbus from VW – the VW BUDD-E – pointing, we were assured, at a fluffy, green, climate-friendly Volkswagen future with its electric drivetrain promising emissions-free motoring. But it didn’t turn in to a production model.

Prior to that, VW came up with the Bulli Camper Van Concept in 2011, and before that had yet another microbus concept at the Detroit Motor Show in 2001. And neither of those got built either.

Now, we get the latest Camper Van/ Microbus Concept from VW with this, the Volkswagen I.D. Buzz Electric Microbus Concept, arriving at the 2017 Detroit Motor Show to prove VW really are an all caring, all sharing, all green, fluffy bunny car maker, and not the evil #Dieselgate crooks the world thinks.

The I.D. Buzz boasts hugely appealing retro looks and uses a pair of electric motors – one at the front and one at the back – to give four-wheel drive, a fully automated driving mode (I.D. Pilot) and new controls.

Inside, up to eight passengers can enjoy a full lounge experience – especially when the car drives itself and the driver and front passenger seats swivel to face the back – in immense comfort thanks to electronically regulated shocks, and performance from the combined 369bhp output of the electric motors promising 62mph in 5 seconds if you want, and a range of 373 miles.

Dr. Herbert Diess, VW Board Chairman, said:

The I.D. BUZZ stands for the new Volkswagen: modern, positive, emotional, future-orientated. By 2025, we want to sell one million electric cars per year, making e-mobility the new trademark of Volkswagen. The new e-Golf already offers 50 percent more electric range.

From 2020 onwards we will then launch our I.D. family, a new generation of fully electric, fully connected cars. It will be affordable for millions, not just to millionaires.

Frankly, if VW can build this at a price people will pay, they should stop playing silly buggers with concepts – which they’ve been doing for 15 years – and just build the bloody thing.

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Comments

I am getting fed up reading about car manufacturers promoting ‘autonomous’ motoring. We have already had a fatality because somebody thought a car could drive itself. I just don’t trust the technology. Yes, it’s very clever that the motor industry CAN produce driverless cars. The question is SHOULD the motor industry produce driverless cars? Maybe not the best comparison, but there are clever folk who can build nuclear bombs…